Getting Kids Interested in Science – 40 Years of Bringing Science to Life in The Classroom
In 1961, John F. Kennedy famously beckoned the American people to journey into space and reach the moon by decade’s end. Both challenged and encouraged by our young president’s infectious and visionary attitude – the country heeded his call.
Space Exploration Disproves Evolution
Does space exploration shed any light on the theory of evolution? Not exactly. It “sheds” more darkness than light.
The Black Space Experience
The roots of the black space experience date back some 8,500 years when the first lunar calendar was crafted from a bone. Like ancient peoples elsewhere in the world, Africans (sub-Saharan black peoples) “shared the same inspiration and awe of the stars” and “struggled to make sense of it [through] creativity and intelligence” [1] patiently taking “countless generations to watch, justify and map the heavens”[2] and define their relationship with them. According to Dr. Thebe Medupe, a prominent astronomer at the University of Cape Town and the South African Astronomical Observatory, “[Africans] shaped constellations out of stellar patterns and came up with stories about them, …constructed calendars to organize their lives and even erected stone alignments… to follow the sun’s ‘path’ throughout the year.”[3] It was for this reason that Bernard Harris, Jr., the first black astronaut to walk in space stated, “When we look at history itself, you realize that astronomy – the study of the stars – that whole origin… [was] being done by people from Africa. And now I get to fly amongst those same stars” when emphasizing the importance of knowing and understanding history – “If you don’t know where you are and where you came from, you’ll never know where you are going.”[4]
Space Exploration – What’s Out There?
The first Space Exploration started in 1957 with the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, sent into space by the Soviets. Since ancient times people have dreamed of leaving their home planet and exploring other worlds not known to man. Every era through out history has had a belief as to what the “heavens” are made form. The Greeks believed that the stars and space were made of a material called “Quitenses”, and other culture once thought that the stars were made of their peoples passed away.
When Science-fiction Becomes Reality
According to Wikipedia, science-fiction is a broad genre of fiction that often involves speculations based on current or future science or technology. There are many movies featuring events, gadgets, creatures and people that are very unlikely to encounter, meet or happen in real life. But as time passes by and science and technology keep on advancing and improving, many elements which are considered belonging to science-fiction movie are now coming to life.
Space Waste Management
To keep our atmosphere clean, we need to have a proper waste management system. It is a responsibility of every human being on this earth and somehow we do it with utmost care. But have you ever given it a thought that what would be condition of space? In a report by NASA, the space stations are pilled up with trash and garbage causing serious health hazards to the astronauts. Shocking but true! There is a dire need to introduce a proper space waste management system to deal with this unforeseen danger. The space agencies need to have an excellent waste strategy before they plan to send any astronauts to mars or moon mission.